In defence of wasps: a misunderstood insect with human-like qualities
In defence of wasps: a misunderstood insect with human-like qualities
Their use of large objects to geo-locate and love of sugary treats may make them a nuisance, but we can’t live without them
When I am asked to choose my favourite insect, I have no hesitation in choosing the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). I have been stung many times, having first fallen into a wasp nest at 5 years old – though the young me was spared many stings as the wasps became entangled in the thick sweater my great-aunt had knitted.
But the wasp gets your attention and causes a reaction. It is perhaps the Marmite of the insect world, you love it or hate it but you’re never indifferent and that gives me something to work on.
If it has a stinger and doesn't make us honey, the sentence is death.
Oh they're like humans alright, they inflict pain on others for their own pleasure. They move into places they don't belong and act like they own the place. And a third thing I'm too tired to think of right now.
Amazing article. I never knew that mature wasps sometimes would go bald and try to wear ill-fitting wigs to hide the fact. Also the whole status anxiety thing with buying fancy wasp-shoes and stuff. So like us!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
It is perhaps the Marmite of the insect world, you love it or hate it but you’re never indifferent and that gives me something to work on.
A wasp queen will begin by building a cylindrical column known as a petiole which she covers in a chemical she produces to repels ants.
At full size, larvae spin a cover over their cell until they emerge into adult workers.
With enough adults fully grown, the queen can focus on reproduction and is in turn fed by the workers.
Most worker wasps will only live as adults for a few weeks but the queen will hibernate underground to lay her eggs in summer so may survive for up to a year.
Wasps navigate via geo-location of large objects, this is the reason they will often circle people as they are mapping where we are, which must be frustrating if we are moving.
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Simply don't make eye contact. Their tiny brains can pattern match on a face, and they're on you if they perceive a threat. So don't spaz out and wave your arms around. Ignore them.
Had a nest over my front door last year. I didn't look at them, they didn't look at me. For that matter, my pig was in and out that door all day. They ignored him as well.
Neat, but I’m not down with them using caterpillars as wombs. Death to wasps.